UNESCO intangible cultural heritage: Grand song of Dong ethnic group

Editor's note: The grand song of the Dong ethnic group was inscribed in 2009 on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This unique polyphonic choral tradition, passed down through generations of the Dong people in southern China, particularly in Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei provinces and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is a living expression of community, harmony and identity. The grand song, performed without musical accompaniment or a conductor, represents one of the most distinctive and ancient forms of multipart singing in the world.

The tradition plays a central role in Dong social life, being performed during festivals, courtship, communal events and rituals. The songs cover a wide range of themes, including nature, legends, morality and everyday life, and are typically sung in the Dong language. Characterized by its rich harmonies and layered vocal lines, the grand song is not only a form of musical expression but also a key medium for transmitting history, values and oral literature.

The origins of the grand song can be traced back over 2,500 years, deeply rooted in the Dong people's agricultural lifestyle and animist beliefs. As a non-written culture, the Dong have long relied on oral traditions to preserve their history, cosmology and ethics. Singing, especially in the form of the grand song, has served as a major vehicle for intergenerational communication and education.

From an early age, Dong children are introduced to the grand song through village choirs, often led by elder singers. This early immersion allows them to absorb complex harmonies and vocal techniques naturally, learning by listening and imitation. The songs themselves are often divided into several categories: narrative songs, moral teachings, love songs and ceremonial pieces, each with specific structures and melodic styles.

Historically, the grand song also served important social and communicative functions. In the absence of writing, it acted as a "musical book," preserving genealogies, historical events, agricultural knowledge and social norms. Singing competitions between villages were common, fostering both artistic refinement and friendly rivalry.

Today, the grand song remains a vital expression of Dong cultural identity, though it faces increasing challenges. The rapid pace of urbanization, migration and the dominance of mainstream culture have threatened traditional ways of life in Dong communities. Fewer young people remain in villages to learn and carry on the tradition, and the communal settings where the songs are best preserved — such as drum towers and village squares — are disappearing or being commercialized.

Nevertheless, there are ongoing efforts to preserve and revitalize the tradition. Local cultural bureaus, schools and community organizations have established training programs and choirs to engage youth in the grand song. Some Dong villages have integrated the grand song into eco-tourism and cultural exhibitions, creating opportunities for performance while raising awareness of the tradition's value.

In addition, scholars and ethnomusicologists have collaborated with communities to document and record grand song repertoires. Several performance troupes now tour nationally and internationally, presenting the grand song on world stages and building recognition of its artistic depth and cultural richness.

UNESCO's recognition of the grand song of the Dong ethnic group in 2009 highlights its exceptional artistic, educational, and social significance. According to UNESCO, the grand song is a symbol of identity and continuity for the Dong people, and a vital example of human creativity and oral tradition. The inclusion on the Representative List underscores its role as a living heritage, sustained through collective participation and communal memory.

UNESCO also noted the grand song's capacity to foster unity, social cohesion and intergenerational communication, praising its intricate polyphonic style — particularly rare in Chinese musical traditions — as a unique global contribution. The organization encouraged further efforts to safeguard the practice by supporting community-based education, preserving performance spaces, and ensuring the participation of youth in cultural transmission.

By recognizing the grand song, UNESCO calls attention to the importance of intangible cultural heritage in sustaining cultural diversity and encourages both local and international collaboration to ensure its vitality in the face of modernization and change.

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